Port Adelaide football boss Chris Davies calls out the AFL as league doubles down on rule change

The AFL has this week provided further clarity on the holding the ball rule – a notioned welcomed by Michael Voss and Brad Scott. But the Power doesn’t agree with the league’s decisions.

Port Adelaide’s football boss says the AFL tweaking rule interpretations mid-season is dangerous.

In the wake of last round’s holding the ball adjustment that led to a 40 per cent rise in free kicks for that infringement, Chris Davies criticised the league for reacting to public furore now rather than waiting until the end of the campaign.

The AFL directed umpires to blow the whistle quicker after weeks of backlash from coaches and fans about how the rule was being adjudicated.

“There are probably many better people to talk about the specifics of holding the ball,” Davies said.

“From my perspective, the challenge that the AFL have got is when they make decisions based on public furore at a particular point in time, you actually leave yourself open to the public being really angry at different decisions and thinking they’re going to be able to make changes, and when I say public, that’s also the clubs.

“I think it’s dangerous.

“I’m not sure it’s an overly good thing to be making changes mid-year.

“I think our club’s perspective is if you’re going to be making those types of changes, then make them in the fullness of time rather than halfway through a year.”

Alex Cincotta tackles Power star Dan Houston in the opening game of round 12. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos

Before last round the league asked umpires to shorten the amount of reasonable time a player had to dispose of the footy.

An average of 11.4 holding the ball free kicks per game were paid, up from 8.4 to round 11.

And the AFL has doubled down on the ruling, providing clubs with extra samples of how it will be interpreted this week - a notion welcomed by Essendon coach Brad Scott and Carlton counterpart Michael Voss.

“There were five examples of correct decisions and an explanation as to why they were paid,” Scott said on Thursday.

“You can debate your opinion of the rule, but that’s not of interest to us. What’s of interest to us is the AFL and the umpires’ interpretation of the rule and how they’re going to adjudicate it. Those five examples gave us great clarification.

“It (adds) awareness of what is deemed ‘reasonable time’ to dispose of the ball. It’s really helpful.”

Brad Scott speaking to the media on Thursday. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Voss, who was among a chorus who expressed confusion after his team’s round 11 win, said it “became clearer over the course of the week”.

“What we’ve asked for more clarity on – which we’ve got – providing examples on how they see things. We get out here today and we get the chance to train it,” he said.

“We have umpires at our session every single week, so it’s our opportunity to show the examples to them but also talk through it. We want to operate within them, and if they’re the changes we need to make and it makes it better for our game, then so be it.

“After a couple of weeks, when teams are starting to get a bit of an idea on how it’s going to be interpreted, then players are generally pretty good at being able to adapt.”

Originally published as Port Adelaide football boss Chris Davies calls out the AFL as league doubles down on rule change